Storage container for a refrigerator appliance with supplemental storage features

ABSTRACT

A storage container for a refrigerator appliance is provided. A supplemental storage shelf is mounted to the storage container. The supplemental storage shelf is configured for selective positioning along a vertical direction relative to the storage container. In such a manner, the supplemental storage shelf can be easily or conveniently stored when not in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to storage containers, e.g., for refrigerator appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food articles for storage. The refrigerator appliances can also include various storage components mounted within the chilled chamber and designed to facilitate storage of food items therein. Such storage components can include racks, bins, shelves, or drawers that receive food items and assist with organizing and arranging of such food items within the chilled chamber.

A design goal for refrigerator appliances can include providing flexibility and customizability in arranging storage components within the appliance's chilled chamber. Such flexibility can improve consumer satisfaction with the appliance. Consequently, the storage components of certain refrigerator appliances can be adjusted or repositioned within the chilled chamber depending upon the configuration desired or selected by a user. However, repositioning storage components offers limited flexibility in arranging such storage components.

In particular, storage components that are unused or seldom used can consume valuable storage space within the chilled chamber of the appliance. Further, such unused or seldom used storage components can obstruct or impede storage of food items within the chilled chamber. To limit the inconvenience caused by such components, the unused or seldom used storage components can be removed from the chilled chamber and stored outside of the refrigerator appliance. However, such a solution is often unsatisfactory to consumers who often misplace or intentionally dispose of the removed components to avoid the hassle of such storage.

Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for improving storage of food items within a chilled chamber of the appliance would be useful. In particular, a refrigerator appliance with supplemental storage features that can be easily or conveniently stored within a chilled chamber of the appliance would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a storage container for a refrigerator appliance. A supplemental storage shelf is mounted to the storage container. The supplemental storage shelf is configured for selective positioning along a vertical direction relative to the storage container. In such a manner, the supplemental storage shelf can be easily or conveniently stored when not in use. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. A door is mounted proximate the cabinet and is configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of the cabinet. The door extends between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. A storage container is supported on the door and defines a storage volume for receipt of food items. The storage container has a bottom panel. A supplemental shelf is mounted to the storage container and is configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to the bottom panel of the storage container.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a storage container for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The storage container extends between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The storage container also extends between a first side and a second side along a lateral direction. The storage container further extends between a front and a back along a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The storage container includes a bottom panel. A pair of opposing sidewalls extends away from the bottom panel along the vertical direction. The opposing sidewalls are positioned on the first and second sides of the storage container respectively. A top panel is positioned away from the bottom panel along the vertical direction. A supplemental shelf is mounted adjacent the bottom panel and configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to the bottom panel.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with refrigerator doors of the refrigerator appliance shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a storage container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with a supplemental shelf of the storage container shown in a storage position. The storage container is mounted to one of the refrigerator doors of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 3 with the supplemental shelf shown in a functional position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 3 with the supplemental shelf shown in the storage position. An exemplary hook and an exemplary container support mounted to the supplemental shelf are shown in an extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigerator appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with refrigerator doors 128 of the refrigerator appliance 100 shown in a closed position. FIG. 2 provides a front view of refrigerator appliance 100 with refrigerator doors 128 shown in an open position to reveal a fresh food chamber 122 of refrigerator appliance 100.

Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 that extends between a top 101 and a bottom 102 along a vertical direction V. Similarly, refrigerator doors 128 extend between a top portion 150 and a bottom portion 152 along the vertical direction V. Housing 120 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, housing 120 defines fresh food chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent top 101 of housing 120 and a freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent bottom 102 of housing 120. As such, the refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerators such as, for example, a top mount refrigerator or a side-by-side style refrigerator. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to a particular refrigerator chamber configuration.

Refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124. As discussed above, refrigerator doors 128 and freezer door 130 are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1, and refrigerator doors 128 are shown in the open position in FIG. 2.

Turning now to FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber 122 to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include shelves 140, bins 142, and racks 144 that are mounted within fresh food chamber 122. Shelves 140, bins 142, and racks 144 are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, bins 142 can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, and/or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items.

A storage container 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter is also mounted to or positioned on one of refrigerator doors 128. Storage container 200 is commonly referred to as a “dairy bin” and is configured for receipt of dairy items such as butter. However, storage container 200 may receive and store any other suitable food item(s). Storage container 200 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of storage container 200 mounted to refrigerator door 128. In addition, a supplemental shelf 220 is shown in a retracted or storage position in FIG. 3. Conversely, FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of storage container 200 with supplemental shelf 220 shown in an extended or functional position. Storage shelf 220 is discussed in greater detail below.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, storage container 200 is mounted to or supported on refrigerator door 128 at or proximate top portion 150 of refrigerator door 128. However, storage container 200 is selectively or adjustably mounted on refrigerator door 128. Thus, a user can remove storage container 200 from door 128 and/or adjust the position of storage container 200 on refrigerator door 128 along the vertical direction V. For example, if the user has trouble reaching storage container 200, the user can reposition the storage container 200 downwardly along the vertical direction V on refrigerator door 128 until storage container 200 is more easily accessible to the user. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, storage container 200 may be mounted to refrigerator door 128 using snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanism, mechanical fasters, clips, brackets, flanges, or any other suitable mechanism in order to permit such repositioning of storage container 200 on refrigerator door 128.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, storage container 200 extends between a top section 201 and a bottom section 202 along the vertical direction V. Storage container 200 also extends between a first side 203 and a second side 204 along a lateral direction L and between a front 205 and a back 206 along a transverse direction T. The vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal directional system.

Storage container 200 has a bottom panel 210 positioned at or adjacent bottom section 202 of storage container 200. Similarly, storage container 200 has a top panel 216 positioned at or adjacent top section 201 of storage container 200. Thus, bottom panel 210 is spaced apart from top panel 216 along the vertical direction V. In particular, bottom panel 210 faces top panel 216. A pair of opposing sidewalls 212 extends between and connects bottom panel 210 and top panel 216 along the vertical direction V. Sidewalls 212 are positioned on first and second sides 203 and 204 of storage container 200 respectively and face one another. Thus, sidewalls 212 are spaced apart along the lateral direction L. A back wall 214 also extends between and connects bottom panel 210 and top panel 216 along the vertical direction V. Back wall 214 is positioned at or adjacent back 206 of storage container 200.

Storage container 200 defines a storage volume 218 for receipt of food items (e.g., butter) for storage. In particular, bottom panel 210, sidewalls 212, back wall 214, and top panel 216 define storage volume 218. A window 219 is rotatably mounted to storage container 200. Window 219 provides for selective access to storage volume 218 defined by storage container 200. In particular, a user may open and close window 219 to selectively access storage volume 218. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, window 219 is transparent to permit a user to view food articles stored within storage volume 218 of storage container 200 when window 219 is closed. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, window 219 need not be transparent, e.g., in order to limit spoiling of food articles within storage volume 218 due to exposure to light.

As discussed above, supplemental shelf 220 is shown in a storage position in FIG. 3. In the storage position, supplemental shelf 220 is positioned immediately adjacent (e.g., on, in contact with, or slightly spaced apart from) bottom panel 210 of storage container 200. In addition, a latching assembly 226 secures supplemental shelf 220 in the storage position shown in FIG. 3. In particular, a catch 229 of locking assembly 226 is received by one of sidewalls 212 of storage container 200 (e.g., an aperture 227 (FIG. 4) defined by sidewalls 212) and engages the sidewall 212 to prevent or hinder supplemental shelf 220 from unintentionally or undesirably shifting to the functional position shown in FIG. 4. A button 228 may be pressed by a user to disengage catch 229 and permit supplemental shelf 220 to adjust, slide, or shift to the functional position as discussed in greater detail below.

In the functional position shown in FIG. 4, supplemental shelf 220 is spaced apart from bottom panel 210 of storage container 200 along the vertical direction V. In the functional position, a user can store or position food items on supplemental storage shelf 220. As an example, a user may be unable to fit certain food items within storage volume 218 of storage container 200 (or on shelves 140, bins 142, and racks 144 shown in FIG. 2). Thus, the user may require or otherwise desire additional storage space for such food items. To provide such additional storage space, the user may utilize supplemental shelf 220. In particular, from the storage position shown in FIG. 3, a user can push button 228 of latching assembly 226 to release supplemental shelf 220 and permit supplemental shelf 220 to shift downwardly along the vertical direction V away from bottom panel 210. The user may adjust supplemental shelf 220 to the functional position and load the excess food items onto supplemental shelf 220.

After consuming or otherwise disposing of the excess food items, the user can raise or lift supplemental shelf 220 back to the storage position. As supplemental shelf 220 shifts into the storage position, catch 229 will engage sidewall 212 and lock or hold supplemental shelf 220 in the storage position. In the storage position, supplemental shelf 220 is positioned out of the way and, e.g., is less likely to interfere with the user as he or she utilizes food items stored within refrigerator appliance 100 compared to the functional position. However, in the functional position, supplemental shelf 220 provides convenient storage space for food items. Thus, supplemental shelf 220 can provide additional storage space when desired and is easily stored when such storage space is not needed.

As may be seen in FIG. 4, supplemental shelf 220 is mounted to storage container 200 with supports 222. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, supports 222 are shown as legs 224 that extend longitudinally along the vertical direction between supplemental shelf 220 and storage container 200. However, other suitable supports may be used to mount supplemental shelf 220 to storage container 200. For example, supplemental shelf 220 may include only a single support 222 in alternative exemplary embodiments.

Legs 224 extend away from supplemental shelf 220 along the vertical direction V by about a height H of storage container 200 in order to permit supplemental shelf 220 to displace a maximum or increased distance (compared to shorter legs) from bottom panel 210 when supplemental shelf 220 is in the functional position. In particular, supplemental shelf 220 can be positioned away from bottom panel 210 along the vertical direction V by about height H of storage container 200 when supplemental shelf 220 is in the functional position. Height H may about four inches, about six inches, about eight inches, or any other suitable distance. Thus, supplemental shelf 220 can be positioned about four inches, about six inches, about eight inches, or any other suitable distance away from bottom panel 210 along the vertical direction V when supplemental shelf 220 is in the functional position.

Legs 224 are received within (or adjacent) sidewalls 212 of storage container 200 when supplemental shelf 220 is in the storage position. In particular, as may be seen in FIG. 4, legs 224 are received within cavities 225 defined by each of sidewalls 212. Legs 224 slide out of the cavities 225 of sidewalls 212 though openings 211 defined by bottom panel 210 at bottom 202 of storage container 200 as supplemental shelf 220 is adjusted from the storage position shown in FIG. 3 to the functional position shown in FIG. 4. Thus, legs 224 may be almost completely positioned within cavities 225 in the storage position. Conversely, legs 224 may be almost completely positioned outside of cavities 225 in the functional position. However, legs 224 can include notches (not shown) or other features that permit supplemental shelf 220 to be positioned at a plurality of functional positions along the vertical direction V relative to bottom panel 210 depending upon the amount of storage space required. In such exemplary embodiments, legs 224 may be almost equally positioned within cavities 225 and outside of cavities 225 in the functional position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of storage container 200 with supplemental shelf 220 shown in the storage position. However, an exemplary hook 230 and an exemplary container support 232 are shown in an extended position. Hook 230 and container support 232 are mounted to supplemental shelf 220. Hook 230 and container support 232 can shift between an extended position shown in FIG. 5 and a retracted position shown in FIG. 3. For example, hook 230 and container support 232 may be rotatably mounted to supplemental shelf 220 in order to permit hook 230 and container support 232 to shift between the extended and retracted positions as needed or desired. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in alternative exemplary embodiments, hook 230 and container support 232 may be mounted to bottom panel 210 of storage container 200, in storage containers with and without supplemental shelf 220. In additional alternative exemplary embodiments, hook 230 and container support 232 may be slidably received within cavities 225 (FIG. 4) in a similar manner to legs 224 (FIG. 4) described above when storage container 200 does not include supplemental shelf 220 or when supplemental shelf 220 is mounted to storage container 200 in another manner.

Hook 230 may be used to support produce bags or food articles. For example, a user may hang such items from hook 230. Container support 232 may be used to prevent tipping of large (e.g., tall) bottles or containers supported on one of shelves 140 (FIG. 3) disposed below storage container 200. As an example, during closing of refrigerator door 128, a large bottle stored on shelf 140 may begin to tip. A top of the large bottle can impact a bar 234 of container support 232 and further tipping of the large bottle may be hindered by such impact. As shown in FIG. 5, bar 234 has an arcuate shape in order to receive the top of the large bottle. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the arcuate shape of bar 234 may decrease the likelihood of the large bottle tipping over completely. However, other shapes for bar 234 are suitable as well.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage; a door mounted proximate said cabinet and configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said door extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along a vertical direction; a storage container supported on said door and defining a storage volume for receipt of food items, said storage container having a bottom panel; and a supplemental shelf mounted to said storage container and configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to the bottom panel of said storage container.
 2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a window mounted proximate said storage cabinet and providing selective access to the storage volume of said storage container.
 3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said supplemental bottom shelf is configured for selective adjustment between a storage position and a functional position, wherein said supplemental shelf is positioned immediately adjacent the bottom panel of said storage container in the storage position, wherein said supplemental shelf is spaced apart from the bottom panel of said storage container in the functional position.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a support extending away from said supplemental shelf along the vertical direction, said support received by said storage container in order to mount said supplemental shelf to said storage container.
 5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 4, wherein said support comprises a pair of legs slidably received within a pair of cavities defined by said storage container.
 6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 5, wherein said legs extend along the vertical direction by about a height of said container.
 7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said storage container includes a latching mechanism for selectively securing said supplemental shelf in a storage position, said supplemental shelf positioned immediately adjacent said storage container in the storage position.
 8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said storage container is mounted to said door at the top portion of said door.
 9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, further comprising a shelf mounted to said door below said storage container along the vertical direction.
 10. The refrigerator appliance of claim 9, wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a container support configured for assisting with supporting a container disposed on said shelf.
 11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein said storage container is configured for selective mounting to said door at a plurality of locations on said door, said plurality of locations distributed on said door along the vertical direction.
 12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a hook mounted to said supplemental shelf.
 13. A storage container for a refrigerator appliance, the storage container extending between a top section and a bottom section along a vertical direction, the storage container also extending between a first side and a second side along a lateral direction, the storage container further extending between a front and a back along a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular, the storage container comprising: a bottom panel; a pair of opposing sidewalls extending away from said bottom panel along the vertical direction, said opposing sidewalls positioned on the first and second sides of the storage container respectively; a top panel positioned away from said bottom panel along the vertical direction; and a supplemental shelf mounted adjacent said bottom panel and configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to said bottom panel.
 14. The storage container of claim 13, wherein said storage container defines a storage volume, a window of said storage container providing selective access to the storage volume of said storage container.
 15. The storage container of claim 13, wherein said supplemental shelf is configured for selective adjustment between a storage position and a functional position, wherein said supplemental shelf is positioned immediately adjacent the bottom panel of said storage container in the storage position, wherein said supplemental shelf is spaced apart from the bottom panel of said storage container in the functional position.
 16. The storage container of claim 13, wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a support extending away from said supplemental shelf along the vertical direction, said support received by said storage container in order to mount said supplemental shelf to said storage container.
 17. The storage container of claim 16, wherein said support comprises a pair of legs positioned adjacent the first side and the second side of said storage container respectively, said pair of legs slidably received within a pair of cavities defined by said opposing sidewalls respectively.
 18. The storage container of claim 17, wherein said legs extend along the vertical direction by about a height of the storage container.
 19. The storage container of claim 13, wherein said storage container includes a latching mechanism for selectively securing said supplemental shelf in a storage position, said supplemental shelf positioned immediately adjacent said storage container in the storage position.
 20. The storage container of claim 13, further comprising a hook mounted to said supplemental shelf. 